Good Ending: She Swears She Will Not Let Him Die!

Chapter 238: Chapter 237: Curiosity

Imperial Doctor Xing panted heavily and said, ”This time I won’t die, but let me have some water first.”

Yun Qi looked at Mu Lianxiao, and seeing him nod, he poured a cup of tea and served it to Imperial Doctor Xing.

After regaining his breath, Imperial Doctor Xing said, ”I’m a physician, I know what I can eat and drink. I just have a broken leg and lack of food and drink. Once I have some porridge and rest for ten days to half a month, I can still live a few more good years.”

Yun Qi knew these words were meant for him. He didn’t argue with someone older, but simply agreed, ”You’re right, when we arrive in the city, I’ll get you some plain porridge.”

Mu Lianxiao initially wanted to ask what exactly had happened to Imperial Doctor Xing, but seeing his weakness, he refrained.

Instead, Imperial Doctor Xing directed Yun Qi to serve him tea and water, and upon seeing a few pieces of rice cake in the carriage, he asked Yun Qi to soak them in water and ate them bite by bite.

When they reached outside Tong City, Imperial Doctor Xing spoke, ”Unfortunate family, landing with such a daughter-in-law. Had I not insisted on not revealing where the silver was hidden, I would have died half a month ago.

When I heard them asking for a doctor at the door, I couldn’t move at all. Why didn’t they just knock on the door?

It’s good you were clever enough to break in.”

Mu Lianxiao was amused by Imperial Doctor Xing’s words.

Zhen Zishan and the others wanted to request treatment from the Imperial Physician, but were unaware of his temperament, so they didn’t dare to forcefully knock on the door, which was understandable. Mu Lianxiao recognized Imperial Doctor Xing, as in the past, even if they weren’t close friends, he and Old Marquis Mu Shi Yuan could exchange a few words. He visited, knowing Imperial Doctor Xing wouldn’t shut him out.

There were people in the courtyard but no response, which led Mu Lianxiao to become suspicious and instruct Yun Qi to climb over the wall.

Mu Lianxiao said, ”I know you, Mr. Xing, don’t easily see patients, but that Old Master Zhen is the grandfather of my fiancée, so I beg you to lend a hand.”

”I was wondering why you came, so that’s it...” Imperial Doctor Xing murmured, feeling quite emotional, and sighed, ”Ten years ago when I left the Capital, you were still following your two brothers climbing trees and digging bird nests, almost getting a beating from the Old Marquis, and now you’re getting married.”

Yun Qi couldn’t help but laugh out loud, but seeing Mu Lianxiao glance over, he quickly suppressed his laughter and lowered his head.

Mu Lianxiao couldn’t find it funny; his heart was heavy.

That was the last time he climbed a tree. The mansion was completely different then.

The three brothers were mischievous, and when the Old Marquis returned from the training ground, he was so angry that he raised his hand ready to spank them. Madam Wu tried to protect them but couldn’t, and his fourth aunt, Mrs. Lu, was newly pregnant, and his fourth uncle Mu Yuan’an, who originally doted on them, protected them from the Old Marquis.

A month later, Mu Yuan’an followed the Old Marquis on an expedition. To save the Old Marquis, he died at the border, and Mrs. Lu couldn’t withstand the blow and couldn’t protect the unborn child.

Years later, another fierce battle left almost all orphaned mothers in the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.

Imperial Doctor Xing, retired, had heard of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion’s situation, and realized his previous comment was inappropriate, so he shifted gears and said, ”Without the Zhen family’s request for me, I couldn’t survive either, I’d definitely treat if I can.”

Able to heal illnesses but cannot save lives, a physician is not a deity; if fate decrees it, more medicine and stones are futile.

These truths, Mu Lianxiao understands, as do the Zhen family members.

The carriage entered the Zhen Mansion.

Upon hearing the Imperial Physician had been brought back, Mrs. Wang waiting at the second gate was all smiles, holding Mrs. Zhen’s hand and said, ”Sixth Sister, Old Master finally has a chance now.”

Mrs. Zhen nodded repeatedly, but also explained to Mrs. Wang about Imperial Doctor Xing’s condition: ”Thanks to the decisive action of the Princely Heir, otherwise even if we begged for three days and nights, we might not have invited the Imperial Physician.”

Mrs. Wang was astonished to hear that. She came from the Langya Wang Family, where rules were strict, but manners were always present, and the relationship between the concubines and the legitimate mother was harmonious, masters wouldn’t arbitrarily make things difficult for the servants, and as for filial piety by juniors to elders, it was ingrained in their bones, no one dared to forget.

Mrs. Wang had heard of stories of unfilial descendants, but those were stories, unlike the stark reality of Imperial Doctor Xing’s case. She chanted a Buddhist phrase and went to Yanxi Hall with Mrs. Zhen and Du Yunluo.

Old Mrs. Hou awaited eagerly, nodding to them repeatedly.

Zhen Zimun came out of the inner room and asked, ”Where is the Imperial Physician? How come he’s not here yet?”

Zhen Wenyuan lifted the curtain and entered, bowing his hands, ”Grandmother and Father, just wait a bit, the Imperial Physician is currently washing up and changing clothes, he’ll be here soon.”

Zhen Zimun was puzzled. This doctor is truly peculiar. We begged him repeatedly to come, and now that he’s here, he still needs to bathe and change...

Oh well, as long as he has real skills, let him have his eccentricity.

Zhen Wenyuan gave some explanations about the Imperial Doctor Xing.

Upon hearing the misfortunes of the Imperial Doctor’s family, not having properly eaten or drank for half a month, nearly starved by his daughter-in-law, Old Mrs. Hou was dumbfounded, shaking her head repeatedly.

Zhen Zimun was also greatly astonished: ”In that case, let the physician rest for a while, Father’s illness is not urgent for this moment.”

Old Mrs. Hou thought the same. The physician’s own health affects his diagnostics, now that he is in the mansion, might as well let him rest more so he’ll be more precise during diagnosis.

Zhen Wenyuan then spoke of Mu Lianxiao.

Du Yunluo hadn’t married yet, and the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion truly had no relation to the Zhen family itself, so Mu Lianxiao’s visit was originally inconvenient. However, he came with Imperial Doctor Xing, which served as a pretext.

Since he was here, Mu Lianxiao should come to pay his respects to Old Mrs. Hou.

Old Mrs. Hou very much wanted to know what kind of person was marrying Du Yunluo, and immediately, despite being unwell, insisted on having her maids help her change clothes and fix her hair. Even in illness, their family’s and Du Yunluo’s face couldn’t be lost.

Everyone knew better than to refuse Old Mrs. Hou, so they had the maids assist her.

Once the Old Mrs. Hou was ready, Mu Lianxiao came to Yanxi Hall with Zhen Zishan, Du Huaixi, and Du Yundi.

As Mu Lianxiao stepped in, he noticed the curious, stealthy glances from the maids and servants around him. He understood they meant no harm, just curiosity about the man marrying their family’s cousin.

Inside the chamber, Mu Lianxiao saw the Old Lady sitting upright on the Arhat Bed, wearing a rust-colored crossed-neck coat with an interlocking pattern, her hair neatly combed and adorned with a turquoise headband. At first glance, she seemed very spirited, but upon closer look, the signs of illness were undeniable.

Zhen Zishan introduced everyone one by one.

Mu Lianxiao bowed respectfully according to proper etiquette.

Old Lady Hou blinked, and after Mu Lianxiao straightened, she got a full look at the young man’s appearance.

With a tall and slender figure, handsome features, radiant smile, bright and lively eyes, sword-shaped eyebrows reaching the temples, he was indeed a fine-looking young man!

Character isn’t discernible in just a few words, but Old Lady Hou believed that with such brilliant eyes, the young man’s disposition wouldn’t be poor.

Old Lady Hou nodded, silently praising Mrs. Zhen for choosing well, selecting a good match for Du Yunluo.

Mu Lianxiao then paid respects to Zhen Zimun and his wife, and Zhen Wenqi, but he didn’t disturb the ailing Old Master Zhen.

After completing the formalities, Mu Lianxiao withdrew, sparing Old Lady Hou from holding herself upright for appearances despite her health.